Importance of the Havan Ritual - Worship of Agni Devta (Fire God)

In the RgVeda (4 : 1 : 9) it is stated that the wealth of the worshipper depends upon the favor of Agni. In other words, it is due to the blessings of Agni Devta that wealth and prosperity is conferred upon the worshipper.  Thus it is very important that the Puja be concluded with the performance of the Havan ritual where all the thoughts, all the prayers, all the mantras, all the wishes and desires expressed by the worshipper during the Puja is now blessed by Agni and taken to the Gods. Agni, the God of fire is the messenger and mediator between earth and heaven and thus in the final stage of the Puja ritual, it is important that the prayers of the worshipper be accepted and blessed by Agni Devta.

The verse in the Yajur Veda (29 : 35) entreats us to place our oblations into the fire with true devotion so that they may be received by the fire, by the Sun, by the clouds. This verse of the Yajur Veda that refers to fire, sun and clouds is explained to us in RgVeda (1 : 79 : 1 ) that Agni Devta is often spoken of in three main forms - as the golden- haired Sun, as the serpentine Lightning that streaks across the clouds and as household Fire for religious purposes and for ordinary use in daily cooking. The oblations of the worshipper that is placed into the fire include a mixture of prasad, sandalwood, dried flower petals, camphor and other sacred ingredients in the Samagri package, all of which are mixed together with clarified butter (ghee) and offered to the fire with each recitation of the sacred mantras.
 

The Havan or Fire Ritual to end the Puja includes the following steps:

Step 1. Prepare the Havan Kund by placing a number of cotton balls soaked in ghee on the bottom. Place a few dhoop sticks over the cotton balls and sprinkle lightly with camphor.

Step 2. Invite Agni in all her different aspects. Om Agnir Devataa . Vato Devataa . Surya Devataa .

Step 3. Ignite the fire with the proper mantra. Om Bhurbhuvah swah .

Step 4. Sprinkle water on the Eastern, Western, Northern and then on all sides of the alter with the correct mantra. Om Adite Anumanyasva .

Step 5. Fan the fire with your right hand while reciting the correct mantras. Om Udbudhya-sva-agne pratijaa-gri-hi .

Step 6: Add the Dhoop or Firewood to the Fire-Pit

Step 7. Pour ghee into the fire pit after the word 'Swaha' in each mantra that the holy person recite. Om Agnaye swaha // idam agnaye idan-na-mama .

Step 8. Final offering to the immortal Brahma is done by recitation of the Bhagavad Gita Verse (4: 24 Om brahma arpanam brahma havir .) followed by the Gayatri Mantra . Om bhur-bhuva-swa .

Step 9. The worshippers take blessings from the fire by symbolically using their open palms to bring the fire towards them.

The Havan Ritual culminates all the efforts, the dedication and devotion of the worshipper and once blessed by Agni Devta, the worshipper will receive their requests that were made to the Gods. Everyone wants peace of mind because through the sanctity of peace, true happiness comes. This peace that causes happiness to flow in our lives comes from having enough material comforts to make our lives contented. This peace, happiness and contentment is so easy to attain that once we know how, its very simplicity stuns the ordinary householder who is in a constant struggle to eke out a living from the harsh realities of their daily existence.  Our goal is to teach the simplicity of Hinduism that will enable you to conquer your hardships and sufferings.  One of our key aims in the Hindu Learning Center / Jyotish Ashram is to help you open the doors to this true knowledge so that you may invite wealth and prosperity to fill your lives.

Quiz:
The three main forms of Agni Devta are mentioned in the RgVeda verse (1 : 79 : 1) quoted in the article above. Which of the three forms is most important in your daily life and why?  E-mail your answer to: swamicharan@yahoo.com
 

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